What is a commercial invoice and why is it needed?

The Commercial Invoice is the primary document used by most foreign customs agencies for import control, valuation and duty determination.

It is the first international shipping document that should be completed as it is the foundation of all other trade documents. The information provided on other international shipping documents, including the Air Waybill or shipping label, must correspond with the Commercial Invoice.

The Commercial Invoice is prepared by the exporter and is required by the importer to prove ownership and arrange for duties & taxes payment.

When is it needed?

The Commercial Invoice is required for all product/commodity (non-document) shipments for international trade.

How can I complete and upload my Commercial Invoice?

When using FedEx Ship Manager^TM at fedex.com, you are guided through completion of your customs documentation. You can either upload your own documentation or generate your documentation automatically during the process.

What is an EORI number?

An EORI number is a unique reference assigned by a customs authority to identify economic operators within the European Union. It is needed for all companies and all types of export and import shipments. Since July 1st, 2009, European Union legislation requires that all member states adopt the EORI (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) system.

Why do you need an EORI number?

The EORI number is a legal requirement and should be included on all custom declarations for import from or export to countries/territories outside the EU. Customs authorities will refuse any entry of goods without an EORI number.

How can you get an EORI number?

An EORI number needs to be granted by the customs authorities of the country/territory where you or your business is based.

My business is based in Switzerland, do I need an EORI number?

Since Switzerland does not belong to the EU, this system and the EORI numbers are not applicable. Therefore Switzerland does not grant EORI numbers.

Here is the list of items prohibited in the FedEx network.

For more information on country/territory specific prohibitions, contact us.

• Human corpses, human organs or body parts, human and animal embryos, or cremated or disinterred human remains.
• Explosives *
• Firearms, weaponry and their parts.
• Perishable foodstuffs and foods and beverages requiring refrigeration or other environmental control.
• Live animals including insects.
• Plants and plant material, including cut flowers (cut flowers are acceptable from the U.S. to selected points in Canada and from Colombia, Ecuador and the Netherlands to the U.S.).
• Lottery tickets and gambling devices where prohibited by local, state, provincial or national law.
• Money (coins, cash, currency, paper money and negotiable instruments equivalent to cash such as endorsed stocks, bonds and cash letters).
• Pornographic and/or obscene material.
• Shipments** being processed under:
  • Duty drawback claims unless advance arrangements are made.
  • Temporary Import Bonds - acceptable under the FedEx International Broker Select option, for initial import only.
  • U.S. State Department licenses.
  • Carnets
  • U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration export permit.
  • Letters of Credit. Shipments subject to Letters of Credit are generally prohibited, with the exception of shipments subject to Letters of Credit calling for a "courier receipt," as defined by Article 25 of UCP 600, shipped using the FedEx Expanded Service International Air Waybill.
  • Certificate of Registration shipments (CF4455).
• Hazardous waste, including, but not limited to, used hypodermic needles or syringes or other medical waste.
• Shipments that may cause damage to, or delay of, equipment, personnel or other shipments.
• Shipments that require us to obtain any special license or permit for transportation, importation or exportation.
• Shipments or commodities whose carriage, importation or exportation is prohibited by any law, statute or regulation.
• Marijuana, including marijuana intended for recreational or medicinal use, and synthetic cannabinoids.
• Shipments with a declared value for customs in excess of that permitted for a specific destination.
• Dangerous goods except as permitted under the Dangerous Goods section of the Federal Express conditions of carriage.
• Processed or unprocessed dead animals, including insects and pets. Taxidermy-finished hunting trophies or completely processed (dried) specimens of whole animals or parts of animals are acceptable for shipment into the U.S.
• Packages that are wet, leaking or emit an odor of any kind.
• Wildlife products that require U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service export clearance by FedEx prior to exportation from the U.S.
• In-bond shipments destined to or being withdrawn from a Foreign Trade Zone or bonded warehouse, unless the FedEx International Broker Select option is selected for U.S. import shipments, or the FedEx International Controlled Export service option is selected for U.S. export shipments.
• APO/FPO/DPO addresses.
• C.O.D. shipments.
   

* Class 1.4 explosives are acceptable for carriage to Canada, Germany, France, Japan, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom. Note: United Arab Emirates only allows Class 1.4 explosives to be shipped hold-for-pickup to the FedEx Express facility in Dubai.

** You may be able to ship these items via FedEx International Controlled Export, FedEx International Premium, FedEx International Express Freight (IXF) or FedEx International Airport-to-Airport (ATA). For information on FedEx International Controlled Export, call International Customer Service at 1.800.GoFedEx 1.800.463.3339 (say "international services"). For information on the other services listed call FedEx Express Freight Customer Service at 1.800.332.0807.